IAC Jumps Into Shopping Search
IAC launched Pronto, a boring shopping search service. Using Pronto requires Windows and downloading a 2 MB software file.
I thought since they were entering the market late and requiring a download it might be interesting. I was wrong. I gave it a go and really saw nothing remarkable about it. I don't see anything about it that makes it download worthy.
Via Gary
- Y! MyWeb
numbers game
I, to am noticing an increase in the number of proprietary "readers" and "viewers" and "toolbars" and the like. I think it's a numbers game.
The browsers are stable. The web is stable. Broadband is stable. The desktop is stable. So we are back in a growth ramp phase, where the big numbers are in "serving" new and less-savvy users. If XX% of users don't know any better, monetize them and forget the harder prospects.
If XX% of users don't know
I suppose that works right up until someone creates ad supported free global web access.
Some others may try, but I am almost 100% certain Google will do it.
Nothing attracts the low end quite as well as free does :)
Reeks of Spyware
I can just see this thing being bundled with every 'ASK' toolbar, drive by downloads at entertainment.com, etc etc. It is based on a CPA model so is prone to cookies pushing.
I can imagine the threads on ABestWeb already... And/Or the announcements for the big three affiliate networks about how they are making a special exception to their application/adware policies just for Barry Diller.
You know you need to be suspicious when it says 'This is not Spyware' all over their homepage - he who doth protest too much...